Dele Alli banned for one game by FIFA for middle-finger gesture

England midfielder Dele Alli has been handed a one-match ban by FIFA for his middle-finger gesture during the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.

The incident came about during England’s 2-1 victory at the start of September, when Alli was frustrated by referee Clement Turpin’s failure to give a free-kick for what he felt was a foul by Martin Skrtel.

Alli was caught on camera sticking up his middle finger, but after the match claimed it was directed at his former club team-mate Kyle Walker, with the Football Association submitting evidence to try and prove this.

He could have received a suspension of up to four matches, but FIFA have decided to hand the Tottenham player a one-match ban.

World football’s governing body said in a statement that although the gesture was “allegedly directed at team-mate” it was still “offensive and unsporting.”

It means that Alli will miss the match against Slovenia at Wembley on October 5, but is free to play in the clash in Lithuania three days later.